Why eat carbs?

[Kalidane]

Within the context of resistance training for a low bf% individual, what purpose do carbs serve in my caloric-surplus diet?

I train well fasted. I don't recall any difference in strength or stamina training after big oats+fruit salad plus protein shake. I wouldn't say that I feel 'sugared up' or slow after smashing an 80g sachet of raro as part of the post workout regime. Apart from the aforementioned oats and fruit salad (okay and ice cream), I don't like eating carbs so why bother? Some incidental carbs from fibrous veges is fine but bread and potatoes can GTFO.

I assume hepatic glycogen levels can be kept at a healthy level on <100g of carbs, via lipolysis if carbs are sufficiently low.

To reiterate:

Within the context of resistance training for a low bf% individual, what purpose do carbs serve in my caloric-surplus diet?

[tomsammce]

Complex Carbohydrates are the best source of energy for physical performance over fat and protein.

[Kalidane]

I accept that it's the _best_ source but them Intermittent Fasting folks seem to train just fine without them (as I feel I do).

I suspect supplementing with concrete pills and Pantera can largely fill in for the lack of circulating glucose from (complex) carbs.

[FellowshipOfTheRon]

you manage fine with just 100grams carbs daily? how often do you workout?

dunno how you do it man, when i low carb i notice slower recovery and can't seem to maintain a high level of intensity from the beginning right through to the end of each workout. also seems harder to keep making consistent progress. i do a bit of carb cycling styles when i feel my BF has gone up too high but never stick with it for bulking, feels way too weak in comparison to when I'm high on them (~300g daily seems to be my sweet spot)

[tomsammce]

I accept that it's the _best_ source but them Intermittent Fasting folks seem to train just fine without them (as I feel I do)..

Do they?

Maybe they would train better if they ate carbs maybe not.

It's scientifically proven that CHO are the best form of energy for the human body.

And let's face it your in the gym for an hour... How many minutes if the 60 are you actually exerting energy?

Try play 80 mins of rugby league or 30min of non stop crossfit and you'll make sure you have more than a protein shake and tablespoon of olive oil.

[Kalidane]

you manage fine with just 100grams carbs daily? how often do you workout?

dunno how you do it man, when i low carb i notice slower recovery and can't seem to maintain a high level of intensity from the beginning right through to the end of each workout. also seems harder to keep making consistent progress. i do a bit of carb cycling styles when i feel my BF has gone up too high but never stick with it for bulking, feels way too weak in comparison to when I'm high on them (~300g daily seems to be my sweet spot)

I just had a quick look through August nutrition and 150g was the lowest I recorded there. The target being 300g at that time which operated okay. So I don't have any personal experience training on low-carb. Training is 4 sometimes 5 per week.

Starting to foresee big problems getting calories without pizza, McDs, and ice cream. Hard enough as it is.

Okay so a low-carb bulk is off the agenda. It may not be practical unless you're a wolf, but I don't see why it can't be done though.

BRB out for steak dinner \:D/

[maccaz]

And let's face it your in the gym for an hour... How many minutes if the 60 are you actually exerting energy?

Try play 80 mins of rugby league or 30min of non stop crossfit and you'll make sure you have more than a protein shake and tablespoon of olive oil.

this. thought keto was the way to go until i started boxing, was a waste of time without carbs beforehand. can get through a weight session fine while in ketosis but as soon as i try anything sustained intensity for more than a few minutes carbs are definately needed. strength not too badly affected but muscle endurance was gone.

imagine rugby etc would be exactly the same.

[Kalidane]

And let's face it your in the gym for an hour... How many minutes if the 60 are you actually exerting energy?

Try play 80 mins of rugby league or 30min of non stop crossfit and you'll make sure you have more than a protein shake and tablespoon of olive oil.

this. thought keto was the way to go until i started boxing, was a waste of time without carbs beforehand. can get through a weight session fine while in ketosis but as soon as i try anything sustained intensity for more than a few minutes carbs are definately needed. strength not too badly affected but muscle endurance was gone.

imagine rugby etc would be exactly the same.

So it sounds like even a high volume day would be just rubbish under those conditions. That'd get pretty bad for morale in a hurry.

Okay so it's really sounding like trying to go low-carb on a bulk is just a terrible idea. Taking a hard thing and making it a heap harder :doh:

[Kalidane]

...

It's scientifically proven that CHO are the best form of energy for the human body.

...

I wish I'd just asked 'why?' rather than waiting a month for the epiphany.

What you're saying is it's easier to arrive at glucose starting with carbs than with protein or fats and the process is bound to be less wasteful as well. Minimal carbs are good if you're cutting; terrible if you're bulking.

[dannyjay]

yea carbs convert to glucose which is easiest source of energy for the body to use

best diet for muscle building is med carb, high protein, med fat imo

best diet for cutting is high protein, low carb, med fat imo

Dave Palumbo would prob agree with me on this

[Chemo]

And let's face it your in the gym for an hour... How many minutes if the 60 are you actually exerting energy?

Try play 80 mins of rugby league or 30min of non stop crossfit and you'll make sure you have more than a protein shake and tablespoon of olive oil.

this. thought keto was the way to go until i started boxing, was a waste of time without carbs beforehand. can get through a weight session fine while in ketosis but as soon as i try anything sustained intensity for more than a few minutes carbs are definately needed. strength not too badly affected but muscle endurance was gone.

imagine rugby etc would be exactly the same.

Second that, Kickboxing on low carb is lols. Sustained high end performance, need them carbs yo.